WWE Fastlane – Previews and Predictions

The final pay-per-view stop on the Road To WrestleMania is finally here and the WWE Universe will know who will be walking into the biggest event of the year as the WWE Champion as six men collide for the right to face Shinsuke Nakamura in New Orleans next month.

The SmackDown Women’s Championship is also on the line as Charlotte defends against Ruby Riott with Miss Money in the Bank Carmella also on the card and looming in the background. The Usos and The New Day have rehashed their feud over the Tag Team Championships whilst Bobby Roode faces his toughest challenge as United States Champion when he steps up to The Viper Randy Orton.

We are now less than a month away from WrestleMania 34, with the card beginning to take shape, it seems that Fastlane is the last chance for many stars to stake their claim to be part of proceedings.

As ever The Brass Ring’s team are here to provide all of their predictions ahead of the event, this months panel includes Chris Rossington, Vickie Hopwood, Emellio Savvas, Conair Bibby, Jake Thorley-Cole, Andrew Parker and Jake Waring.

Natalya and Carmella Vs. Naomi and Becky Lynch

Phillipa, Vickie, Chris, Jake W- Carmella and Natalya

Emellio, Conair – Becky and Naomi

Thoughts by Emellio – So we have the crazy cat lady paired with the armless princess fighting the Irish lass kicker and the glow in the dark booty bouncer. Firstly we will discuss Carmella and Nattie, if there was ever a team destined to fail more than Benoit and Guerrero it would be these two, from Carmella’s shrieking tones in the ring to Natalie’s “me, me, me” attitude, it will be interesting to see whether they can coincide long enough to get the job done. However, standing in their way is Becky and Naomi, a pair that is quite comfortable with or against each other. Based on group dynamics the clear winners would be Becky and Naomi, but will they be prepared for their opponent’s unpredictability? Ideally, I’d like for Carmella and Nattie to eventually have their greed get in their way and end up fighting each other leaving either one open to being pinned giving Becky and Naomi a hand in the match, not like they need it.

The Usos Vs. The New Day – SmackDown Tag Team Championship

Phillipa, Chris – The New Day

Jake T, Vickie, Conair, Jake W – The Usos

Thoughts by Jake Waring – OK so we’ve seen this match plenty of times before, but who cares? The chemistry between these two teams is brilliant and they have always delivered. I think the most likely scenario here would be the Usos retaining, but I expect to see the Bludgeon Brothers play some part. We may even end up with a no result and set up a potential three-way at Wrestlemania. Either way, the match is guaranteed to be brilliant so sit back and enjoy it. Usos win

Bobby Roode Vs. Randy Orton – United States Championship

Phillipa, Andrew, Vickie – Randy Orton

Jake T, Chris, Conair, Jake W- Bobby Roode

Thoughts by Phillipa – Bobby Roode and Randy Orton collide over the United States Championship when it was only a few short months ago that Orton was fighting for the WWE Championship. Sadly, he was just about the only credible superstar on SmackDown that wasn’t included in the Fastlane main event, perhaps because the creative team realised that they also had to have a few other matches on the card too. It’s odd that Jinder Mahal was completely overlooked in this match since he’s been at the forefront of the build-up, but it is thought that he will be added to the triple threat at WrestleMania. Jinder recently pinned Orton on SmackDown after Roode caused the distraction, which means that if Orton wins the title then Roode has a contractual rematch and Jinder has a claim to be in the match since he’s already beaten, Orton. This is perhaps the best way to set up a triple threat in four weeks, but this is WWE, anything is possible.

Charlotte Vs Ruby Riott – SmackDown Women’s Championship

Phillipa, Jake T, Andrew, Vickie, Conair, Jake W – Charlotte

Chris – Ruby Riott

Thoughts By Jake Thorley- Cole – You have to push forward on your idea. So, Charlotte walks into her toughest challenge this weekend knowing that The Riott Squad will be at ringside for her match against their leader Ruby. Not only does Charlotte have her present challenger to be concerned about, but she also has Miss Money in the Bank lurking in the background after her recent return to TV. There are rumours that Charlotte will go on to face Asuka at WrestleMania in four weeks time, but it seems that she has to overcome two huge obstacles first and figure out how to neutralise The Riott Squad on her own. If anyone can do it then it’s The Queen.

Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. Rusev

Thoughts by Conair – “HE BROKE MY AIDEN!” What an incredible soundbite. It’s great to
see Rusev competing on pay-per-view again. The man has been gold for the past year and Aiden English is the perfect foil to his comedic manner. This feud started after Shinsuke ahem “BROKE MY AIDEN WITH STUPID KNEE TO THE THROAT” two weeks ago on Smackdown Live. This is obvious age-old “we need the Rumble winner in a feud before Wrestlemania” trope, but anything that gets Rusev and Aiden on TV is good by me. This match was only made this past Tuesday; further validating the feeling that Nakamura has been in limbo since the Rumble win. He does have a guaranteed Wrestlemania match, but it would definitely help if, y’know, he was actually on TV to build it up.. Nakamura will win, but I hope Aiden has his singing voice back in time for Sunday.

Thoughts by Andrew – Dear Vince, You don’t know me so let me introduce myself. My name is Andy McBaldface, and I am speaking on behalf of a huge section of WWE fans. I’m sorry, I meant the WWE Universe. Forgive me. Anyway, this particular section must voice their concern that the teased Wrestlemania match of AJ Styles Vs Nakamura may not happen, due to the result of Fastlane’s Six Pack Challenge. We implore you to not make any changes to that future match, and therefore for AJ Styles to retain. Please don’t take this as a slight against anyone else in the match. Cena is a worthy champion but his historic 17th reign should not begin at a C-show. Corbin and Zayn are future world champions, but that future is not now. Owens and Ziggler are always fun, but even they could make the disappointment of losing Styles Vs Nakamura at Wrestlemania disappear. Neither one of Styles or Nakamura is getting any younger, so if you want the best out of them, the amazing match you know they can put on, then now’s the time. My heart is holding on to hope that Styles retains. Please don’t work me into an early grave, Mr McMahon. Yours faithfully, Andy Mc Baldface.